Department of Health & Mental Hygiene News Release

BALTIMORE, MD (May 2, 2011) -- A three-day exercise to test Maryland's ability to respond to an influenza pandemic in coordination with the State's health care partners begins on Tuesday, May 3, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced today. This planned exercise will involve simulated emergencies at multiple locations across Maryland, as well as virtual "table top" activities and will involve every county statewide.

"Statewide exercises are important to helping us test the public health system's capability to respond to such an emergency," said Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services. "We expect to do well in some areas and learn valuable lessons to help us do better in the future."

DHMH has coordinated a multi-jurisdictional functional exercise to test pandemic flu priorities and activities. State and local health departments, hospitals, health care providers, schools, as well as private businesses and community organizations will participate in numerous locations across the state.